Upcoming Drinking Water-Related Regulations

Regulations in Process or Planned

• Revised Total Coliform Rule: The draft regulation package is being prepared. The public comment period is anticipated to begin in late spring 2019. Follow this link for the draft revised total coliform regulation and more information about how to comply with the current State and Federal requirements.
• Lead and Copper Rule: Draft regulation packages are being prepared for the State and Federal Lead and Copper Rules.  Follow this link for more information about the Lead and Copper Rule.
• Point of Use and Point of Entry Treatment: The emergency regulations expired January 1, 2018, and permanent regulations are in preparation. Follow this link for information on the upcoming permanent regulations.
• Cross Connection Regulations:  Work on updating these regulations is anticipated to begin soon. Follow this link for information on the current California Code of Regulations, Title 17.

Other Active Projects Related to Development or Review of Regulations

• Review of the Perchlorate Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The review of the perchlorate MCL has been completed to determine whether it should be revised in response to the 2015 public health goal (PHG). For a summary of the review and more about perchlorate, follow this link.
• Microplastics: Senate Bill No. 1422 (filed on September 28, 2018) requires the State Water Board to adopt a definition of microplastics in drinking water on or before July 1, 2020, and on or before July 1, 2021, to adopt a standard testing methodology for microplastics and requirements for four years of testing and reporting, including public disclosure of results. Follow this link for more information about microplastics.
• Unregulated Contaminants for which Monitoring is Required: DDW staff are gathering information for the development of a new unregulated contaminant monitoring regulation (UCMR) to gather comprehensive information on the scope and concentration of contaminants of concern prior to proposing drinking water standards for those contaminants.
• MCL Review: To meet requirements of the Health and Safety Code Section 116365(g), each year the State Water Board identifies the MCLs it intends to review. Follow this link for a summary of the most recent review.
• Direct Potable Reuse: The report to the Legislature regarding the feasibility of developing Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) criteria was submitted in December 2016. Work continues on DPR.  Follow this link for more information about Direct Potable Reuse.

Other Regulations of Interest

• Recycled Water Regulations: Follow this link for more information about the DDW's activities related to recycled water.
• Drinking Water Program Fees: Follow this link for more information.
• ELAP Regulations: Public drinking water systems must utilize accredited laboratories for water analyses. Follow this link for more information about regulations for the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program.

Upcoming Federal Rules

• Drinking Water-Related Regulations (from U.S. EPA)

Other Information

• Division of Drinking Water
• Information for Public Water Systems
• Recently Adopted Regulations
• Drinking Water-Related Statutes and Regulations (Lawbooks)

Contact Information

• Melissa Hall, P.E.
  Senior Water Resource Control Engineer
  (916) 323-0373
  Melissa.Hall@waterboards.ca.gov
• Mark Bartson, P.E.
  Supervising Sanitary Engineer
  (916) 449-5622
  Mark.Bartson@waterboards.ca.gov

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  (Page last updated 3/15/19)